Ford has released details of the new Ford KA+ which as the name suggests is a bigger version of the standard car of which it will be replacing. It will come in five-door only and will be available for customers to order soon with prices starting at £8,995.
What does it offer?
Well the main emphasis on the KA+ is of course more space, Ford say it will be able to seat five with ease and there are plenty of areas of storage. Its just a tad shorter than the Fiesta but it is 29mm taller which should mean more headroom. Therefore the KA+ could prove to be a great alternative for someone who wants a Fiesta but is on a bit of a budget. The boot offers 270 litres of room which can be extended by folding the rear 60/40 seats.
As mentioned there are plenty of storage with no less than 21 stowage locations in the cabin. There are large front door bins which should be able to swallow up a fair few items plus a very clever compartment in the instrument panel which can only be accessed when the driver's door is open. This is for valuables that can be locked away out of sight which is quite thoughtful if you ask me.
It's not all about space though
As well as offering more space, Ford say the KA+ will offer an efficient and fun-to-drive experience for buyers and has worked hard to deliver a car to live up to those promises. There will only be one engine available, the 1.2 litre Duratec petrol engine, which is available in either a 69bhp or 84bhp output.
The engine is mounted to a five-speed manual and uses twin-independent variable camshaft timing technology for better performance and fuel efficiency whilst keeping emissions down. Speaking of which, both engine variants offer 114g/km of CO2 emissions and fuel economy of 56.5mpg.
Ford is also keen to ensure that the KA+ meets the handling demands of European customers and has developed a unique chassis to achieve this. Pretty much everything from the dampers to the steering system has been specially developed for the model, plus the front sub-frame and engine mounts have been re-designed.
The KA+ has also undergone an intensive development program to make sure it's comfortable and offers an ample level of refinement which will make it easier to drive long distance. A range of measures are used to reduce wind and road noise plus powertrain noise levels, so the car shouldn't be tiring to drive. It then gets tested at Ford's Belgian proving ground before extensive testing on European roads to ensure it is ready to be given the seal of approval.
But what about kit?
The KA+ will be offered in two trims, Studio and Zetec. Studio is cheap but a little spartan with what's included. It comes with the less powerful Duratec engine and comes as standard with electric front windows, front fog lights, a radio with Bluetooth connectivity, central locking...and that's about it. You do get some driver aids though, including Electronic Stability Control with Hill Start Assist, Deflation Detection System, Speed Limiter, and Ford Easy Fuel, as well as six airbags for safety.
The Zetec is a more attractive prospect however as it adds 15" alloy wheels, air con, DAB radio with CD player, Ford's SYNC system, leather steering wheel and cruise control. Plus it has the choice of both engines so you can opt for a bit more power if desired. This trim does cost a little over £10,000 though which puts it close to price of the cheapest Fiesta.
It will pitted against cars such as the Kia Rio and Dacia Sandero but will it do enough to win the small car war or will buyers simply spend a bit more and go for the Fiesta?